Get involved - give your views on plans for Regent Gardens

Date: 
Friday, 14 May, 2021


People are being encouraged to have their say on proposed improvements at the heart of Kirkintilloch town centre – Regent Gardens.Regent Gardens - photo by Pamela Marshall

Your Kirky (aka Kirkintilloch Community Council) is again consulting with the community about the future of Regent Gardens - building on its first round of consultation in 2019, which received more than 1,000 responses.

It has been working with East Dunbartonshire Council and consultants from Pick Everard, Benton Scott-Simmons and Kevin Murray Associates to create a concept design for the centre of the town, including:

  • A flatter, green, more flexible central space for events
  • Proposals for a semi-permanent canopy
  • Enhanced seating and informal play area in the lower half of the Gardens
  • A reduced-speed, traffic-calmed approach to Union Street
  • Enhanced links to Peel Park and Kirkintilloch Town Hall
  • Opportunities for further development.

Consultation will take place via an online questionnaire, event and video presentation between Friday 14 May and Sunday 6 June 2021. Detailed design work will then take place, followed by phased construction (subject to available funding options).

Visit the Your Kirky website [opens in a new window] or the Your Kirky Facebook [opens in a new window] to get involved.

Nigel Rooke, of Your Kirky, said, "We had an excellent response to the consultation in 2019 and have taken everyone's views on board. Plans have been delayed somewhat by the pandemic, but we are keen to continue progressing the project and look forward to hearing people's opinions.

"The designs are based on community feedback and show improvements to the Gardens to enable greater use of all parts of the space for socialising, events and play. The nearby section of Union Street would be adapted to create a lower-speed environment, with plans currently still allowing for traffic. If you can spare five minutes, it’s really important to let us know what you think."

Councillor Andrew Polson, Joint Leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, said, "We have been working with Your Kirky on proposals to enhance the town centre and would encourage local residents, businesses and groups to take part in the latest consultation."

Councillor Vaughan Moody, Joint Leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, added, "Any work will take place on a phased basis to minimise disruption - aimed at improving this popular area for people of all ages. Please get involved if you can and help to guide the way forward for the Gardens."

Survey results from 2019 included:

  • 80.4% in favour of creating a flexible space in Regent Gardens (from 490 responses)
  • 89.5% in favour of an incidental children's play area (rather than formal - from 494 responses)
  • 59.9% in favour of a green option for the central area (rather than partial/full hard landscape surface - from 509 responses)
  • 82% in favour of a form of canopy or sheltered space - including 42.8% for a large temporary canopy over the events space and 16.4% for a permanent canopy (from 512 responses).

Photo of Regent Gardens by Pamela Marshall.

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